14 Feb 2020
Olympian, Samantha Wells spoke to students from Quirindi High School today.
“When goal setting, write down what you want to achieve, then break it down into smaller achievable pieces and then break it down further into everyday goals,” said the award winning aerial skier, who lists Vegemite as one of her favourite foods.
When asked a questions about equity in sports Sam responded that Women in sport opportunities now are better than previously.
“Financially we are equally paid across the board in the aerial skiing community, and funding available is dispersed equally. I didn’t find any discrimination in my sport and nowadays there is a lot of support for women in all sports in team management, coaching, event management as well as participation in sport.”
Samantha attended today as part of the ‘Olympics Unleashed’ program - taking Olympians and NSWIS Athletes into New South Wales schools to inspire and motivate young Australians ahead of Tokyo 2020, and beyond.
“My annual training included over 3000 jumps with skis on into the pool in summer months and over1000 winter location jumps as well as physio, stretching, weight and cardio training and eating healthy foods. I trained my mind as much as my body and stayed focussed on my university degree as well as my sport,” said Samantha who holds a degree in the Health Science field including Sports and Health promotion.
Samantha encouraged students that, if we adjust our attitude to positive you can achieve anything.
“When you have a good attitude, you are more likely to attract a positive team around you. A positive team can help you achieve your goals. Its’ very important to have a cohesive team and cheer your peers on.”
A former gymnast, it was an injury that led Samantha to take up aerial skiing.
“I was layed up with an injury and my Dad handed me flyer on how to become an aerial skier, it combined my love of flips and skiing, So I was hooked.”
Samantha made her second Olympic Games in PyeongChang after making her debut four years earlier at the Sochi 2014 Games.
Wells has won two individual World Cup medals having claimed silver in Deer Valley in early 2016 and bronze in Beida Lake at the end of that year.
She went on to place 10th in the 2017 Sierra Nevada World Championships in Spain and rounded out 2017 with two strong results in China, making both finals to claim 5th and 6th.
Students and teachers alike asked some great questions today and QHS Sports Captain Lillie Clark thanked Samantha Wells for attending today.
What an opportunity.